Propeller



Nov. 19, 1940. E NEWNHAM l 2,222,118

PROPELLER Filed March 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l E. NEWNHAM y PROPELLER Filed March'Q, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 when E. N EWN HAM PROPELLER Nov. 19, 1940.

Filed March 9, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mft/12m y UWM/amg!! Patented Nov. 19, 1940 PROPELLER Eugene Newnham, St. Louis, Mo., assigner to Knapp-Monarch Company, St Louis, Mo., a

corporation of Missouri Application March 9, 1937, serial No. izasos 21 clams. (ci. 17o- 173) An object of my invention is to provide an air propeller for electric fans and the like, such propeller being of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

a A further object is to provide a propeller, the blades of which may be integrally or individually formed of sheet or molded rubber or other suitable flexible material, the propeller having a two-part hub, the parts of which engage oppol site sides of the blade member and are so formed that they hold the blades thereof at the proper angle for eiective air delivery.

Another object is to provide a exibleI blade member or a plurality of individual blades and a pair of hub elements, the hub elements having annular flanges of stepped character, the blades being interposed between companion portions of these flanges and held thereby at their proper A3U peller, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointecl out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure, l is a perspective view of a propeller emn 35 bodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the blade mem' bershowing its shape when flat. Figure 3 is ,an inside elevation of an outer hub element used in connection with the blade memi ber oi Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of another hub element which is used in conjunction with the hub element of Figure 3 to support the blade member.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the propeller showing the blade projecting toward the observer cut oif at the periphery of the hub and shown in section.

.Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6--6 of i Figure 5. Figure 7 is a similar sectional view. showing a Jmodinedconstruction for holding the twopa of the hub together. A Figure Ris a similar sectional .view showing an l other modified form of securing means.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the blade member used in connection with the construction shown in-Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing another modified construction of hub especially 5 designed for individual blade elements instead of a single blade member having the plurality of blades formed thereof.

Figure l1 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the companion, hub member for the member 10 shown in Figure 10.

- Figure 12 is a perspective view of an individual blade member used with the hub elements of Figures 10 and l1.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the hub ele- 16 ments of Figures 10 and' 11 assembled relative to each other with one of the blades in position and cut oiI at the periphery of the hub and shown in section; and

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line Il--flt 201 l of Figure `13.

On the accompanying drawings I have usedl the reference characters H and H' to indicate,- hub elements and B a blade member. The blade member B is preferably formed of flexible sheet material stamped out to the shape `shown in Figure 2, the material being flat in this gure.

The blade member B comprises blades Ill and central connecting portion l2, the portion I2 being perforated as indicated at I4. The hub element H comprises a disk-like flange i6 and an annular flange i3. 'I'he Bange i8 is of stepped character, and a portion designated I8' thereof (see Figure 5) is formed at the desired pitch angle for the blades of the propeller.

'Ihe hub element H has an outer domed wall 20 and an annular flange 22. The flange 22 islikewise of stepped character .having an angular portion 22 which is of the same contour as the portion I8' of the hub H. 'Ihese edges 'I8' and 40 22' may therefore be termed companion meeting edges as they fit each other with the blade l0 interposed therebetween as shown in Figure 5, particularly by reference to the blade which is l shown in section. 454

vscrew 28 extending through a bore 31| of the hub element H', through the opening I4 at the center of the blade member B and then into a screw threaded boreA 32 of the hub element H. A sleeve 34 extends from the hub H and receives a drive shaft 36. Means such as a set screw 38 is provided for securing the drive shaft in the bore of the sleeve 34.

In Figure 7 the securing means for the hub elements H and H consists of a tubular sleeve 40 having a head 42. The sleeve 40 extends through a bore 44 of the hub element H, through an enlarged perforation I4' of the blade member B and into a screw threaded bore 46 of the hub element H. The motor shaft 36 extends into the tubular sleeve 40 and a set screw 38 is used to secure it in position.

In the modification shown in Figure 8, the hub elements H and H have internal hubs 24 and 2G', but the blade member B instead of being provided with a central perforation, is solid at the center and provided with a pair of perforations I4" spaced radially outwardly from the internal hubs 24 and 26. The hub element H' is provided with bosses 48 which extend through the openings I4" and screws I] are provided for extension through perforations 52 of the hub H and threaded into the bosses 48.

In all forms of the invention, however, the hub elements are formed so that when they are clamped together by any of the securing means disclosed with the blade members between them, the blades I0 are held at the proper pitch angle for effective air delivery upon rotation of the propeller.

The invention is applicable to sheet metal propellers as well as exible propellers of sheet rubber or the like, although it is especially designed for the iiexible type of blade. The hub elements distort the blades so that they assume the proper shape and angle upon'assembly and thereafter will retain this shape during operation, except when striking objects whereupon they bend backwardly to avoid damage to either the blades or the objects so struck.

In Figures 10, 11, 13 and 14 I show hub elements H" and H'" which are particularly designed for mounting a plurality of individual blades B" shown in Figure 12. The hub element H" comprises a disk 54 and a plurality of anges 58 similar to the flanges I8 of the hub element H in Figure 4. Likewise the hub element H'" has a plurality of companion flanges 60' similar to the flanges 20 of Figure 3, these being adapted for fitting together in spaced relationship as shown in Figure 13, wherein the blade B is shown in section between the anges. Shoulders 62 and 64 limit the movement of the hub element H'" relative to the hub element H" during assembly so as to not too tightly squeeze the blade B'.

Each blade B' has an enlarged ange 66 at its inner end which fits Within the hub when the two parts thereof are assembled as shown in Figure 14, and this prevents outward movement of the blade as a result of centrifugal action during rotation of the propeller within the hub element H'". A plurality of projections 68 are provided vwhich are arranged inside the flange 66 to prevent any undesired extension of the blade B' inwardly relative to the hub.

'I'he hub elements' are secured1 together by screws 'I0 and mounted on the motor shaft 36 by a set screw 12. An opening 14 is preferably provided in the hub element H'" through which a `shaft for balancing purposes can be projected when, after the -propeller is assembled, it is desirable to balance it on knife-edged ways.

The opening 'I4 is preferably closed by a plug I6 which is frictionally held in the opening and knurled so that it will remain in position after being forced into the opening. The plug I6 preserves the continuity of outline of the hub element H'".

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure of use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a propeller, a two-part hub member, a flexible blade member, the two parts of said hub member having a plurality of pairs of companion meeting edges inclined relative to the plane of rotation of the propeller at the `desiredpitch angle for the propeller blades, one of said two parts being substantially shell-like and the meeting edges thereof bein'g thereby ange-like in character and means for retaining said two parts assembled relative to each other with the blades of said blade member interposed between said meeting edges, the centers of said two portions of said hub member having projections toward each other, the central portion of said-exible blade member spaced from said iange-like meeting edges being interposed therebetween.

2. In a propeller, a two-part hub member, a nexible blade member, the two'parts of saidfhub member having a' plurality of pairs of companion meeting edges inclined relative to the plane of roblade member comprising a plurality 'of blades and a central connecting portion, said hub elements having annular anges of stepped contour and substantially spaced from the peripheries of the hub elements, said hub elements being secured together with the blades of said blade member interposed between said anges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blades being each inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, said hub elements within said flanges having internal hubs projecting toward each other and engaging the central connecting portion of said blade member. Y,

4. In a propeller, a pair of hub elements, a blade member comprising a plurality of blades and a central connecting portion, said hub elements having annular flanges of stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member interposed between said anges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blade being each inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, a screw extending through one of said hub elements, through the blade member and threaded into the other hub element vto retain the hub elements and the blade member assembled relative to each other, one Aof said hub elements having a bore therein through which a shaft may be passed for balancing during assembly and a plug for said bore.

5. In a. propeller, a pair of hub elements, one

of said elements having a substantially ellipsoid'al contour, a blade member comprising a vplurality of blades and a central co-nnecting portion, said hub elements having annular flanges of stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member interposed betweensaid flanges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blade being each inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade and a screw extending through one of said hub elements, through the blade member and threaded into the other hub element to retain the hub elements and the blade member assembled relative to each other, said hub elements within said flanges having internal hubs projecting toward each other and engaging the central connecting portion ol' said blade member, one of said hub elements having a bore therein through which a shaft may be passed for balancing during assembly, and a plug for said bore.

6. In a propeller, a pair of hub elements, a blade member comprising a plurality of blades and a central connecting portion, said hub elements having annular anges of' stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member -interposed between said flanges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blade each being inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, a headed tubular sleeve extending through one hub element and threaded into the other one to retain said hub elements and blade mem- "ber assembled and adrivo shaft extending into said tubular sleeve.

7. In a propeller, a pair of hub elements, a blade member comprising a plurality of blades and a central connecting portion, said hub elements having annular flanges of stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member Kinterposed between said flanges, the por- 1 tions of' the flanges engaging the blade being each inclinedat the desired pitch angle for the blade, a headed tubular sleeve extending through one hub element and threaded into the other one to retain said hub elements and blade member assembled and a drive shaft extending into said tubular sleeve, said hub elements within said flanges having internal hubs projecting toward each other andengaglng the central connecting portion of said blade member.

8. In a propeller, a two-part hub member, a plurality of flexible blades, the two parts of said hub member having annular flanges provided wlth a plurality of pairs of comparatively narrow companion meeting edges inclined relative to the plane of rotation of the propeller at the desired pitch angle for the propeller blades and forming, when `assembled together, an ellip soidal shaped hub member and means for retaining said two parts assembled relative to each r,aher with said blades interposed between said meeting edges.

9. Ina propeller, a pair of hub elements, a plurality of blade elements, said hub elements having annular flanges of stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with said blades interposed between said flanges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blades each being inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, the outer hub element having a bore through which the propeller may be balanced and a plug for said bore.

1G. In a propeller, a pair of hub elements, a

blade member comprising a plurality of blades and a central connecting portion, said hub elements having annular flanges of stepped contour, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member interposed between said flanges, the portions of the flanges engaging the blade being each inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, a headed tubular sleeve extending through one hub element and threaded into the other one to retain said hub elements and blade vmember assembled and a drive shaft extending into said tubular sleeve, said hub elementswithin said flanges having internal hubs projecting toward each other and engaging the central connecting portion of said blade member, said blade member having perforations through which said means extends.

l1. In a hub assembly for mounting fan blades, al member a-dapted for mounting on a shaft, said member having substantially annular flanges of stepped contour, a faring member having substantially annular flanges adapted to substantially intert with the flanges on said first mentioned member and to have blade members clamped therebetween, tension means for drawing said first mentioned member and said faring member together for clamping blade members between the flanges thereof, an axial bore through said farlng member through which a shaft may be extended for balancing the assembly during manufacture and a plug for said bore.

12. In a hub assembly for mounting fan blades, a member adapted for mounting on a shaft, said member having substantially annular flanges of stepped contour, a faring member having substantialli7 annular flanges adapted to substantially interi-lt with the flanges on said first mentioned member and to have blade members clamped therebetween, tension means for drawing said first mentioned member and said faring member together for clamping blade members between the flanges thereof, an axial bore through said faring member through which a shaft may be extended for balancing the assembly during the manufacture, a'countersunk portion at the outer end of said bore, and a plug adapted to seat in said countersunk portion and be fri-ctionally held therein and to preserve the continuity of contour of said faring member.

13. In a hub assembly for mounting fan blades, a member adapted for mounting on a shaft, said member having substantially annular flanges of stepped contour, a faring member of substantially ellipsoidal contour, said faring member having substantially annular flanges of stepped contour, said faring member flanges adapted to substantially interfit with the flanges on said first mentioned member and to have blade members clamped therebetween, tensio-n means for drawing said rst mentioned member and said faring member together for clamping blade members between the flanges thereof, an axial bore through said faring member through which a shaft may be extended for balancing the assembly during the manufacture, a countersunlc portion at the outer end of said bore, and a plug adapted to vSeat in said countersunk portion and be frictionally held therein and to preserve the continuity of contour of said faring member.

14. In a propeller, a pair of. hub elements, a blade member, said hub elements having stepped peripheries, said hub elements being positioned relative to each other with the blades of the blade member interposed between said peripherdrive shaft extending into said tubular sleeve.

15. In a propeller, a two-part hub member, said two parts, when assembled together, being substantially ellipsoidal shaped, flexible blade means, said two parts having a plurality of pairs of spaced companion edges inclined relative to the plane of rotation of the propeller at the desired pitch angle for the propeller blades, means for retaining said two parts assembled relative to each other with the blades of said blade means interposed between said companion edges and stop shoulders adjacent the ends of said companion edges to limit the size of the space between them.

16. In a propeller of the class described, a. pair of hub elements, blade members connected therewith, means for securing said hub elements together with said blade members interposed therebetween, the portions of said hub elements engaging said blade members being each inclined at the desired pitch angle for the blade, said hub elements each having a'bore therein, said bores being aligned with each other whereby a shaft may be passed therethrough for balancing the propeller during assembly, and a plug in one of said bores, the outer surface of said plug being shaped to preserve the continuity of the surface of the hub element in which it is mounted.

17. In a propeller, a single piece blade member formed of flexible material of generally uniform thickness,said member comprising a plurality of counter-part and equally spaced blades radiating from a centrally perforated central portion of the blade membera two part hub member co-axial with the blade member and being of larger diameter than said central portion of the blade member, the two parts of said hub member having counter-part companion faces spiralling in the same direction rotationally of the hub member, each pair of said companion faces being similarly curved, said faces being equal in number to said blades and each bladev having a similar portion thereof extending between, engaged by and retained curved in crosssection by said companion faces and lmeans coaxial with and extending through the central perforation in the blade 'member for rigidly clamping said two parts 'of the hub member t0- gether on opposite sides of the blade member.

18. -A fan comprising a hollow base. member having al circumferential flange formed with a plurality of inclined edges, a hollow cap member having a plurality of similarly inclined comple- 'mental edges, a iiexible blade of rubber or the like between each coacting pair of inclined edges of the cap and base member, and means for firmly clamping the cap and base member together and gripping the flexible blades between said inclined edges at theproper angle for propelling air when the fan is rotated.

19. A fan comprising a base member, a cap member, said members being'formed with complemental inclined gripping portions, means for clamping said members together, and flexible fan blades of rubber or the like gripped and held between said gripping portions, the inclination of said gripping portions being such as to force said flexible blades to and hold them in proper angular relation to each other for propelling air when the fan is rotated, said base member and cap member being hollow and formed of pressed sheet metal, each of said base and cap members being formed with marginal ange-like portions in which the complemental gripping portions are formed..

20. A fan comprising a base member, a cap member, said members being formed with complemental inclined gripping portions, means for clamping said members together, and exible fan blades of rubber or the like gripped and held between said gripping pOrtions, the inclination of said gripping portions being such as to force said flexible blades to and hold them in proper angular relation to each other for propelling air when the fan is rotated, said base member and cap member being hollow and formed of metal, each of said base and cap members being formed with marginal ange-like portions in which the complemental gripping portions are formed.

21. In a propeller, a single piece blade member formed of flexible material of generally uniform thickness, said member comprising a plurality of counterpart and equally spaced blades radiating from a centrally perforated central portion of the blade member, a two part hub member co-axial with the blade member and being of larger diameter than said central portion of the blade member, the two parts of said hubmember having counterpart companion faces spiralling in the same direction rotationally of the hub member, each pair of said companion faces being similarly curved, said faces being equal in number to said blades 'and each blade having a similar portion thereof extending between, engaged by and formedfor air Ipropelling surfaces by said companion faces and means co-axial with and extending through the central perforation in the blade member for rigidly clamping said two parts of, the hub member together on opposite sides of the blade member.

i EUGENE NEWNHAM. 

